Photo by Malory Henze from UNI Athletics

A new era of UNI Volleyball has been keyed by a former Pella standout after a large turnover on the roster of the historic NCAA power in Cedar Falls.

Emily Holterhaus is among the top players in the Missouri Valley Conference as the Panthers returned to competition this winter after COVID-19 delayed the start of the campaign.

Holterhaus ranks 4th among league players with 199 points (3.75 per set) as she has become the top full rotation starter for UNI following the departure of six athletes from the 2019 fall roster. Emily’s 3.11 kills per set is 9th best in the Missouri Valley and her 15 aces are 10th most in the conference.

Holterhaus was a four-year standout athlete for the Lady Dutch, racking up All-State Honors in volleyball, basketball, and track, and leading Pella to four state volleyball tournament appearances.

UNI won 6 of their 8 matches in February after starting the season with a five game losing streak, and they continue this Saturday at home against DePaul University. The regular season for the Panthers is ongoing through the end of March, with the annual Missouri Valley Conference tournament starting on April 1st.